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The Radical Pilgrim
~ Pro Bible ~ Pro Apologetics ~ Pro Kingdom ~All scripture quotations from the Authorized Bible, without apologies. Placed accents mine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Present (Contemporary) Christianity
meddle not with them that are given to change
Proverbs 24:21
What's wrong with present, or contemporary "Christianity" (with inverted commas)?
Answer ... EVERYTHING! Because it is just that ... a present phenomena! Of it's time! Contemporary! A fad! Only making reference to the Bible, God, or Jesus, to validate itself. To give it some sort of legitimate recognition. An official reference point. A justification for it's existence. So others can get on with playing "God" or being "religious" without repercussions or controversy.
Last night on the news (early 2001) I found myself saddened and sickened again. Why? Because just after I had viewed a secular band performing in a night club of some description, our nations "Christian" Parachute Rock Festival was also given news time. Guess what act looked less contorted, grotesque, and unnatural? Yes, you got it .. the one in the world's night club scene! The "Christian" rock act was not Christian in the true blue bonafide sense at all. Even more than what could be called pseudo, it was a caricature of all biblical Christianity stood for, while thousands 'raged out' and the world felt good (or confused), that those who were once narrow and straight were now like everyone else.
It's official ... we now have "Christian" culture, "Christian" lifestyle, a "Christian" alternative! Without New Testament back-up. Without truth in the street and the absence of the Spirit of truth who came to reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.
Over the last couple of decades or so, trendy religionists have worked hard to be like the world, and get the world's approval. To express "Christianity" is cool and "up-to-date", they were now making a better job of romping, raving, rocking and raging, than many of their worldly counterparts.
If God be God, and eternally imputable without a shadow of turning in character or decree, then surely any substitute made in His image would be treachery as well as gross error. Especially when His law has clearly demanded it not to be. Especially when licence, liberalism and an "anything goes" mentality were being instigated by those who name the name of Christ and were suppose to be instrumental in bringing the kingdom of God to others. Even the New Testament states about casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. As well as having a readiness to revenge all disobedience (2 Cor. 10: 4-5).
Which means ... God does not tolerate images of Himself one iota, whether as outward pagan icons, or inward mental images presented and promoted in place of the God according to scripture. Even images of Jesus of the flesh are outta kilter with His word (2 Cor. 5:16)!
Which reminds me ... back in the eighties, when I was reping for a business around the country, I do distinctly remember driving past a church one day which had a large bold placard in front of it's auditorium strategically facing the road advertising the fact, "We serve a contemporary Jesus!"
There
it was in writing, a church proudly displaying to the world they had
thrown
out the Bible and were now following another Jesus which changed with
the
times to suit their present needs. After all, what would be the
ramifications
if one was going to seriously follow the unchanging God of the Bible,
who
demanded we changed to suit Him? Not the other way around!
More
evidence the 'advertised' 'marketable' Christianity today is not the
real
thing, the dinkum goods; but a Clayton's version, a counterfeit.
Where man was in control of his own spiritual comfort-zone he had made
for himself. Tailormade to look almost like the authenticated,
but
without a sting of
conviction,
and without a threat to the present religious status quo. An
accommodating
version in other words. One that can be manipulated to suit
changing future
trends,
so goals can be set and budgets projected, without too much
inconvenience
and many ruffled feathers.
In the past the counterfeit version has majored on political opportunism and expedience, where empires have been established and thrived in the name of "the Christian God", until they have been defeated by their religious opposition who claim to be (rightfully) following the same God. All for spiritual supremacy, political power, and their "God given right" to control everything and everyone ... of course!
First, was the gruesome power struggle between Catholicism and Protestantism, as both used political manipulation, terror campaigns and killing to attain their goals. One may have been more moderate and more open to reform (at times), while the other hard-core. Nevertheless, their goals were not the salvation of man but rulership and greed. Using reference to God, to cloak their wicked intentions.
Then came the big competing game when the Roman version collapsed, as sub empires and mini denominations fought for their place in the religious market place.
Today, the counterfeit version/s major this time on cultural (not so much political) opportunism and expedience, as it blends into, and enhances the times and it's social environment. Promoting "tolerance" and "interfaith", so as to disarm all opposition. Thus, without largely a murmur of protest from those who claim to be protest-ants and little discernment shown from stupefied Bible believers. All the while Christendom becomes more apostate than ever, as it embraces everyone else (including non Christian religions); unchallenged and unopposed, in the name of "multiculturalism", "social responsibility", and "political correctness". So the masses can all rise up and play, and enjoy God as one big happy universal family, without accountability to our rebellion and fallen apostate condition. Forgetting that heaven is only for a redeemed people, who have renounced self-gratification, taking our Makers name in vain, godlessness and selfish ambition.
However, authentic Christianity, the bonafide biblical kind, cannot come to the world's religious party. Not now! Nor ever! It follows the God who is unchanging, who cannot break the scriptures, who is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
The encouraging thing is ... the candle of the Lord will be back in it's rightful place, and back on the candlestick for all to see! Not as rocking, raging bedlamites, using Christianity to facade their licence and rebellion. Or those hell-bent on being relevant, sophisticated, and attractive, to avoid ridicule from the world and to make easy converts. However, God's adopted children simply go about their Fathers business, and take His word as it is ...
"except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish"!
And take His word seriously ...
"Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men"!
